History of South-Savo and Lake Saimaa ON THE PIER Living on the shores of Lake Saimaa

Saimaa becomes inhabited Savo between East and West Town built on islands Expanding town The harbour Strait Kyrönsalmi Tarburning Ironworks Agriculture Life in the archipelago Savo dwelling Villas Sääminki parish Church boats Savo boats Boats for every occasion Tar steamers Constructing a tar steamer Life on tar steamers Winter journeys   SAVO BETWEEN EAST AND WEST Habitation became more established in the Iron Age. New inhabitants arrived from Häme and Karelia. Sources of livelihood began to diversify, although hunting was still the primary form for earning one’s living. Earliest signs of cultivation by clearing and burning-over woodland are from the late 500’s, a thousand years before the method was more widely spread. Domestic animals included: cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chicken, horses, dogs and even cats. Iron was smelted and forged into utility articles by smiths. By the end of the Viking era (800-1050), bronze jewellery was being made. An ancient costume from Mikkeli reflects the craftsmanship from a thousand years ago. The demand for furs increased during the Viking era. Finland was a significant source, attracting traders and huntsmen also to Saimaa. At the end of the Iron Age, heathens were being converted into a new faith. Savo was trampled under power struggles between Sweden and Novgorod, and hill forts serve as proof of the restless times. The hill fort of Pisamalahti-bay, Sulkava, has often been said to be the most beautiful fortified hill in the country, boasting stone walls of two metres high and three metres wide. Following the peace treaty of Noteburg (Pähkinäsaari) of 1323, Novgorod ceded three districts to Sweden: Savo, Jääski and Äyräpää. Savo was divided by the border of the two kingdoms. Turmoil continued, and in 1475, the Swedish Crown erected a castle on a small island in the fast-flowing Kyrönsalmi-strait in order secure its rule.

mk 29.7.2005